The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-17

leave of Chicago be invited Predmore to run
down and spend the month of july with him,
saying with mischievous smile as he did so:
1T may help to disenchant you, you know"
But notwithstanding the nature of the intima-
ton the invitation was joyfully accepted.
After the arrival of the Weands at the
islands, Predmore was advised Of the fact. and
telegraphed back the probable date of his own
arrival. A vexatious delay, however. prevented
his departing at the time proposed, and he was
five days behind his appointment 80 that the
Wellands had ceased to go to the landing when
the steamer came in.
When ne set foot upon the pier there was
one present to greet him. ard when he and his
baggage reached the cottage he was informed
that the Wellands had gone out for morning
ramble down the island. Getting general idea
of the direction they had taken. he started off
in pursuit. feeling all the while SIS il he were
treading upon enchanted ground.
AS he was going along at swinging rate, he
came to a projection of rock which concealed the
Immediate prospect beyond. He was thrilled
with delicious surprise, wnen hearing a voice
on the other side of the rock, he paused for q
moment and recognized the tones of his darling,
engaged in conversation with some one
One bound and he was beyond the rocky cur
tain, but only to be Mortified with what he saw.
Did his eyes deceive hima Thereasat young
man, and leaning against him, with his arm
around her. and her lips in the very act of re-
ceivinga passions ate kiss. sat Vesper. Predmore
stood transfxed and his eyes almost started out
of his head at the sight.
The first intma alton the couple had of his pres
ence was his startled exclamation of Good
heavens! Can it be possiblel"
The couple rose hastily, the girl bushing
deeply ana averting her eyes from the intruder,
and the young man flaming with anger as he
said. In the most insolent manner
lis your name Paul Pry sir, that you should
be SO unnecessarily intrusive9 Have the good
ness to take yourself off you came"
But Predmore needed not the insulting words.
His eyes we're fixed in stony stare upon his de-
ceiver, and when at length he realized the fact
that she had no intention of recognizing him.
he turned without n word, for he felt that II
he remained an instant longer he would be
tempted to fling them both into the river.
Blind with the revulsion of his feelings, he
fastened back to the cottage. Mr.. Weliand was
still absent. Without condescending to give
word of explanation to the servant, who was
alarmed at his angry department. he called to
passing laborer and had his baggage conveyed
back to the steamer, which was just on the point
of backing out for the return trip The officers
were surprised at mis- movements and still more
at the change in his appearance
The lovers he left behind thought they had es-
capped from mailman. while the servant girl
became convinced that he was thief, or some
thing worse.
Twenty minutes after the departure OF the
steamer, Mr.. Welland returned to the cottage
in company with Vesper who looked as placid
and innocent as If neither ripple nor guile HAD
ever disturbed stained the peace and sincerity
of her soul
The servant immediately began to inform
them of the conduct of the stranger, but was
excited, broken and exaggerated in her story
that the two listened to her with mingled alarm
and amazement By dint Of hard questioning
to his personal appearance, they ELECTED
description that made Vesper turn white, and
Mr.. Wellana red
GOOD heavens" exclaimed the latter with
unbounded indignation, that must have been
Predmore."
Vesper protested with great show Of sur
prise that such suppostion was absurd.
What possible motive could he have" asked
she ''for behaving in that manner! More likely
1t was some drunken young man who had made
a mistake to his destination"
''Thems his books" said the servant, pointing
TO a couple of paperc covered novels which Pred
more had thrown down upon the table when he
entered, and had forgotten to take away with
him.
Mr.. Welland picked the books up hastily and
discovered Predmore's name in pencil on the COW
ers in his own handwriting
well this passes comprehension" said he.
Fired has been here beyond all doubt What
could he have meant by such shabby trick as
this! Was ne mad because the whole island was
not at the pier to see him lapdg But am doing
the fellow iniustice: he must have received
some message compelling his instant return"
That theory, however, was abandoned as soon as
formed. for the reason that message could
have reached him until the next morning
The servant was subjected to another rigid
examination In the hope of discovering some
message from Predmore But the girl declared
that he didn't say word for anybody, but went
off as if a dozen policemen were after him. The
girl was dismissed from the room.
Vesper was pacing the floor very restlessly.
A shrill rug whistle was heard, which put new
idea into Mr. Weland's head.
I'll see about this said he. with great stern
That tug is bound down the river
passage for Alexandra bay, and if there is any
virtue in dollars, | shall get there almost as
soon as that runaway"
kissing her affectionately, he fastened to the
pier, hailed the tug, was soon aboard. and from
the increased smoke and steam of the tug it was
evident that he was making his word good, so
far as she was concerned.
But when they reached the bay, the steamer
had got in ahead of them, and some twenty min
utes before had started down the river In a
fever of anxiety, Weand rushed to the nearest
hotel and scanned the register Almost the first
name that met his eyes was that of the truant,
but written in such straneel y-tremulous way
that pang of suspicion shot through Mr.. We'll
lands mind.
could he really have been drunkl' thought
he.
"Show me up to that gentlemans room, said
he to the clerk, with such incisiveness that the
man looked up surprised, but recognizing the
speaker he summoned the bell boy TO do his bid
ding. Dsmissing the boy soon AS ne reached
Room 81. he felt the perspiratlon start upon his
brow when he heard some in the room
pacing Dack ana eVluenLly IN no very rest
full mood Nevertheless, his knock at the door
was decidedly emphatic 1t swung open in quick
response. and there stood Predmore elaring at
him if strongly disposed to knock him down
stairs for his pains. Besides he barred the door
with his person it determined that Weand
should not enter.
well. STRIP exclaimed he, fairly kissing mis-
words, as if he were being subjected to a most
insulting intrusion.
| well. sir, yourselfl' calculated the aston
| ished visitor nearly beside himself with anger.
What the devil, sir. do you mean by this sort
| of thingl
This sort of thing.' resorted Predmore, not
only repeating Wellands words but rejecting
| his anger also. and speaking with an infection
| that was like sword thrust. Twill you allow
me. sir. to wish you much JOY Of your daush
| ters conduct"
My daughters conduct gasped Welland
! scarcely believing his own ears, and becoming
| pale with the intensity of his Indignation at the
implied insult offered: ''but let me in. man-dc
you want to raise the whole hotel to witness the
| actions of pair of confeunded idiotsl"
As Predmore made no sign OF standing aside
| Welland pressed In by him. closed the door and
| stung TO fury by his attitude. broke out with:
Now, sir, will you have the goodness to ex
! plain your reference to my daughter2 But. by
Jove, if you make single insinuation to bel
| dishouor. old as | am and big as you are, II
| shake the life out of you"
There was something in the bearing of the
/ old man that appealed to Predmores mauiness
and wrought change in both his tone and man